Anabolic-androgenic steroid increases running endurance in rats.

The study was designed to determine whether treatment with an anabolic-androgenic steroid enhances running performance in rats by increasing their freely chosen training distance. Forty male Long-Evans rats were randomly divided into either a sedentary control group or an exercising group caged in specially designed running wheels in which the rats were able to run spontaneously. After 4 wk, both groups were further subdivided into two groups receiving either 0.

Expression of p53 tumor suppressor gene, oncoprotein c-erbB-2, cellular proliferation and differentiation in malignant and benign pancreatic lesions.

The expression of oncoprotein, tumor suppressor gene, cellular proliferation and differentiation markers were studied in 64 malignant and benign pancreatic tumors, adjacent and distant to the tumor duct epithelium. Activity of these markers was compared to 16 cases of chronic pancreatitis. Tumor suppressor gene p53 and transforming growth factor alpha were overexpressed in the majority of malignant tumors.

Barrett's oesophagus: mucin composition, neuroendocrine cells, p53 protein, cellular proliferation and differentiation.

There is strong association of Barrett's oesophagus (BO) with adenocarcinoma. The sequence of events preceding malignancy appears to be reflux oesophagitis - ulceration - BO - dysplasia. One hundred and five biopsies of heterotopic columnar epithelium were stained for H&E, PAS/Alcian Blue and HID/Alcian Blue for the routine histology and neutral/acidic sialo- and sulphomucin staining.

Towards a standard method to demonstrate adenylate cyclase activity at the electron microscopical level.

The ventral epidermis of the frog Rana fuscigula is a typical tight epithelium which acts as a functional syncytium in the active transepithelial transport of sodium ions. Transport across this epithelium is regulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This study was undertaken to formulate an optimal protocol for the localization, within this epithelium, of adenylate cyclase; the enzyme involved in cAMP synthesis.

p53 gene mutants expression, cellular proliferation and differentiation in oesophageal carcinoma and non-cancerous epithelium.

An immunohistochemical study of 155 squamous cell carcinomas of the oesophagus, squamous epithelium adjacent to the tumour (n = 80), dysplastic epithelium (n = 16) and controls (n = 23) indicates that Ki67 and p53 expression is frequently present in premalignant oesophageal lesions and their related squamous cell carcinomas. Positive expression of both antibodies in apparently normal epithelium can signify early steps of malignant transformation of oesophageal epithelium and can serve in the detection of early precancerous lesions. The expression of growth factors EGF and TGF-alpha was higher in carcinomas and dysplastic lesions than in apparently normal squamous epithelium.

Distribution of hepatic nerve fibers in liver diseases.

Autonomic hyperactivity with increased cardiac output and other manifestations occurs in patients with both cirrhosis and noncirrhotic portal hypertension. The role of the disordered hepatic autonomic innervation in the mediation of these abnormalities is unknown. We have studied the hepatic nerve network and associated extracellular matrix proteins in patients with portal hypertension (alcoholic cirrhosis, extrahepatic portal vein obstruction, idiopathic portal hypertension), and in patients without portal hypertension (alcoholic hepatitis, psoriasis before and after treatment with methotrexate, a potentially hepatotoxic drug) by immunohistochemical methods.

Characterization of six patients who are double heterozygotes for familial hypercholesterolemia and familial defective apo B-100.

Familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 (FDB) and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are the common causes of monogenic primary hypercholesterolemia. An individual of mixed English and Afrikaner descent with both FDB and the FH Afrikaner-1 low-density lipoprotein receptor mutation was identified in our laboratory. Subsequent analysis of her extended family revealed the presence of heterozygotes for either FH Afrikaner-1, FH Afrikaner-2, or FDB as well as five additional double heterozygotes for FH Afrikaner-1 and FDB and one "complex" heterozygote with all three mutations.

Oesophageal mucosa in a population at risk of oesophageal cancer: post-mortem studies.

We performed post-mortem studies of oesophageal mucosa from 513 consecutive autopsies of cases who died from unnatural causes or from diseases not related to the oesophagus. Of these, 170 cases were rural blacks from endemic high-risk areas, 98 were urban blacks at high risk, 158 were coloureds at moderate risk and 87 whites at low risk for oesophageal carcinoma. Oesophagi were studied macroscopically and histologically to determine malignant and precursor lesions.

Metabolic response to localized surgical fat removal in nonobese women.

Although suction lipectomy and dermolipectomy are common surgical procedures, the body's response to localized removal of fat and the long-term efficacy of these procedures remain controversial. Seven women who underwent liposuction or abdominoplasty were studied prior to surgery and between one and two months postoperatively. All patients were weight-stable prior to surgery and the reported daily food intake and nutrient composition of the diet did not change.

Effect of lumbar traction on stature.

Ten subjects were given lumbar traction for each of three time periods. Traction forces of one third of body weight were used. Stature was measured before and after traction and before and after three control periods of crook lying (lying supine with the knees flexed at 90 degrees and the feet resting on the traction table).

Site selection for fat autotransplantation: some observations.

The use of autologous fat for implantation has recently received renewed attention in the plastic surgery literature. Autologous fat reportedly has been used for the treatment of wrinkles and Romberg's disease, and for buttock and breast augmentation. While some measure of success has been achieved, many surgeons report that substantial resorption of fat tissue occurs at the site of implantation.

Respiration and the ECG: a study using body surface potential maps.

Body surface potential maps and an eccentric spheres model of the heart were used to investigate some of the factors that cause the surface ECG to change with respiration. Although the pattern of the surface maps shifted inferiorly with inspiration, the pattern itself did not change significantly, even with deep respiratory movements. However, the temporal ECGs at specific electrodes changed dramatically.

The effect of variations of ventricular volume on the electrocardiogram. A comparison of two model simulations.

Two previously published models of the electrocardiogram are compared and evaluated to determine the causes and nature of the relationship between variations in ventricular volumes and surface potential. Both models included a relatively high conductivity spherical heart in a spherical torso, but in one the source was a single dipole, while in the other the source was a double-layer spherical cap. Volume conductor effects (that is the change in electrical conductivity of the torso associated with ventricular volume changes) caused a decrease in surface potential with increase in ventricular volume.

The initial phase of GnRH-stimulated LH release from pituitary cells is independent of calcium entry through voltage-gated channels.

Kinetic studies on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) release were undertaken using rat and chicken pituitary cell cultures. In response to continuous GnRH stimulation, a biphasic pattern of LH release was demonstrated. The two phases showed different susceptibility to the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blockers D600 and nifedipine.